SUPERPONY!!

Saturday was the Campbell Valley Pony Club trophy show at Milner Downs. Jessy took Moira, we didn't have super high expectations, Jessy had a bunch of friends going to the show so just wanted to go have a good time. She did-- she and Moira got a 6th out of 12, a 6th out of 11, and a 4th out of 15... they were amazing!



I can't get over this mare. Last Thursday Jessy popped her over some jumps. She even taped colourful paper to one of the poles to make it "scary". You think Moira cared? Nope. She hops over everything, no sweat. Her temperament is so wonderful... this mare is seriously worth her weight in gold.

She and Jessy plan to do the jumping classes at the next Sunnyside Saddle Club show, then hopefully compete at the Campbell Valley horse trials in August. So exciting! Who'd have thought they'd come this far in such a short time?

I can't wait. Now, if only Gia would take a lesson from Moira and settle down a bit... :)

Few more show pics:

Sunnyside Video

Just a quick vid Jessy made of the Sunnyside show



There are a couple of clips of the Supermodel and I in there, and I was really impressed at how we looked. Yes, she was tossing her head around, but we didn't look like we were careening off the arena rails like a ping-pong ball... which is what it felt like :)

Go us!

Sunnyside show!

Well, we survived! I didn't get bucked off, and we managed to make it through both classes we entered. Yes, she flipped out and embarrassed me when we got there. As soon as Jessy took Moira to be longed, Gia figured she was going to die an immediate and painful death and proceeded to spin in circles screaming madly, while trying to trample me. It got quite exciting for a bit.

Beyond that, she had one medium-sized meltdown when I first got on her... threatened to bolt, skittered sideways, but we still made it into the ring and our class. The rest of our rides were typical green-horse stuff-- spooking, whinnying, random stopping and bolting. Her inability to walk in a straight line is pretty legendary. But... she had some lovely moments of softness, and when they called for the lineup she stood like a stone (which frankly surprised me!)

We entered two walk-trot classes and got a 3rd and a 4th. Not too shabby! I was just shocked when we didn't place dead last in our class!

The Superpony did pretty good too... they got a 2nd and 3rd in the walk-trot classes, and a 4th in the Green Horse. After the classes, Jessy schooled her a bit in the lovely big warmup arena, and popped her over a crossrail... she was a star.

All in all, a good day! The show was low-key, in a nice setting (Sunnyside's facilities are fantastic!) They have shows there all summer, and I'm sure we'll be going back.

Pics!

Getting ready to head out





Showtime!








Results being announced



Moira objected mightily to the ribbons, for some reason. Notice Gia standing there like butter wouldn't melt in her mouth. Very suspicious...





Next show... BC Sporthorse show, 2 weeks! :)

Balance

Yesterday I went to physiotherapy for the first time, for a longstanding back issue that has only been exacerbated by pregnancy and getting pitched off the Supermodel. It was very interesting, I learned a lot-- about how the way I hold myself and the things I do affect my back and neck pain. I was sent home with lots of stretches and exercises to work on to improve my core muscles, which is kind of exciting to me as it will only improve my riding.

I feel very positive right now, for the first time in my life I feel like I'm actively working toward both my physical AND mental health. It's not an easy road, and I have a tendancy to get overwhelmed and upset. Hopefully I can look back at this post and remember that it isn't always like that, and it WILL get better with work and time.

One of the very interesting things that was pointed out to me is that I am not very good at breathing. (How can a human being NOT be good at breathing, you ask? I know, right?) I have a tendancy to hold my breath at the slightest provocation. I have to learn to relax and breathe... which we all already know I'm not good at. :) That will help my mental state, and of course my riding as well. Yes, I tend to look at things from the point of view of my riding-- but it gives me a physical, concrete perspective on what I'm trying to accomplish or change.

At any rate. I will be doing my exercises diligently (in fact, my boss even put out an exercise ball for me in the office!) and looking forward to the results. In the meantime, our show is this coming weekend, so there's lots to do right now!

My big goal for the show: concentration and focus. Gia lacks both, and it'll only be worse when there are a bunch of strange horses around her. I expect she'll lose her little pea brain at all the excitement. So I want to work very hard at both of us maintaining our focus, not getting distracted and/or frustrated. Anything else is gravy.

I can't wait! (Oh, and cross your fingers for good weather, I don't want to be hacking to the show in the rain!)

Little things, revisited

I told you it doesn't take much to make me happy... look, the little garden I planted at the barn (well... it's only half finished) has it's first flower!



Do you think that means spring is coming?

(That was a "BC weather" joke. It's almost June and we're still waiting for the good weather. Sigh.)

It's always the little things...

Look what I found when I got to the barn today! (Well... other than a flood... somehow, the water faucet in Gia's stall got left on overnight, flooded her entire stall and half the aisle...)



Beautiful, groomed, freshly harrowed arena! It looks so professional!



Now I know what you're thinking... "who cares?" Or something along those lines. But honestly, it delighted me. It just makes riding so much easier. Plus, it looks so nice!



It doesn't take much to make me happy, lol. Plus, my last couple of rides on Gia have been fantastic-- I feel like we're actually getting somewhere! We are going to the Sunnyside show this weekend, that'll be a good test of her concentration... and my ability to stay on :)

Just had to share!

Still thinking about tea parties...

I've been mulling over ideas for the Mad Tea Party, and naturally my brain is full of baking ideas. One of my favourite places, Etsy, has so much inspiration... scones, Linzer tarts, lovely French macarons, or how about finger sandwiches made with rainbow bread! And of course, my homemade marshmallows... and no tea party would be complete without cupcakes! (Oh-- and tea, of course!)

So... that's a LOT of sweets! What the heck am I going to do with them all? Perhaps a real tea party is in order, after all.

I'll keep thinking...